Bvlgari Roma Vintage Moneta Necklace In 18Kt Gold With 308 AD Roman Bronze Coin
A Monete Necklace designed by Bvlgari.
An conic and popular piece, created in Rome, Italy by the jewelry house of Bvlgari, back in the 1970's. This rare Monete necklace has been crafted, with classic Roman-revival patterns in solid yellow gold of 18 karats, with high polished finish. It is composed by a twisted braided leather cord of 7 mm, with the main element holding a genuine ancient Roman coin. It is suited with a discrete round boxed push lock.
The coin is a genuine billon bronze Follis (20 mm) of 3.89 Grams, from the ancient Roman Empire, made in the name of the Emperor Licinius I (308-324 AD). Struck in the mint of the city of Treveri (Trier) Germany at the 2nd office.
Obverse description: The laureated, bearded and armored portrait bust of Licinius, facing to the right, with legend in Latin around, IMP LICINIVS P F AVG.
Reverse description: The draped figure of Genio standing to the right, crown of city walls with gate, holding a cornucopia with the left hand and giving a victorious patera with the right one. Legend in Latin around GENIO POP ROM (to the guardian spirit of the Roman people), T at left and F at right BTR on exergue.
Numismatist literature: RIC VII Trier 121, SRCV IV 15194, Cohen VII.
History about this coin: Open civil war between Constantine and Licinius broke in 316 when Constantine invaded Licinius' Balkan provinces. Licinius fled to Adrianople where he collected a second army, under the command of Valerius Valens whom he raised to the rank of Augustus. Constantine defeated Licinius at the Battle of Campus Ardiensis, but the victory was indecisive. A treaty between Constantine and Licinius was concluded at Serdica on 1 March, 317. The peace lasted for about seven years.
This necklace has a total weight of 48.7 Grams and fit a neck up to 16.5 Inches (42 Cm). The measures of the main element is 26 mm by 52 mm (1.02 x 2.04 Inches).
Stamped, with the maker's cartouche mark Ste, A, the Italian gold assay hallmarks, the coin origin description and signed in full, "BVLGARI ROMA .750 *160ROMA, LICINIUS 308 324 FOLLIS OR ET BRONZE".
Provenance: Acquired in Rome in 1977, A private collection in Milan Italy.
Bvlgari, was founded in the late 19th century by Sotirio Bulgari, who was born in 1857 in Greece and was descended from a talented family of silversmiths. In 1884 he opened his first shop in Rome on the Via Sistina, and then in 1905 he moved to the actual flag's store in Via dei Condotti. Upon Sotirio’s death in 1932 his sons, Giorgio and Costantino, took over the business. They are credited with creating the highly distinctive ‘Bvlgari’ style, inspired by Greek and Roman classicism revival, the Italian Renaissance, and the 19th century Roman school of goldsmiths. The 1970s marked the beginning of Bulgari’s international expansion with the opening of stores in New York (the first overseas), Paris, Geneva and Monte Carlo.
Monete Jewels by Bulgari
The practice of mounting coins for wear as jewelry has a long history dating back to ancient Roman times. Coins were not only minted as a unit of value for transactions, but the images appearing on them could be symbols of power, sometimes talismanic, and could represent alliances between countries. Nicola Bulgari, grandson of the founder of the firm, who developed an interest in coin collecting, can be credited as the “influencer” who was responsible for the launch of Bulgari’s modern tradition of mounting ancient coins in the mid-1960s. The use of ancient Greek and Roman coins also forged a firm connection with Bulgari’s proud Hellenic and Roman cultural heritage. Coins used in Bulgari jewels date from the 5th century B.C. to the 20th century A.D., depending in part on what is available in the market. Each coin has been thoroughly researched and the reverse of each mounting is inscribed with the name of the individual or region featured and the year of issue, inscribed in Roman font. Coins with irregular contours are mounted in such a way that the integrity of the coin is uncompromised; the mounting follows the shape of the coin so not to diminish its numismatic value. The scholarly aspect of Bulgari’s “Gemme Nummarie” (coin gems, derived from Latin), sets them above all imitators. Also referred to as simply “Monete” (coins, in Italian), Bulgari coin jewels can bestow status upon the wearer and be the source of stimulating intellectual conversation, but most importantly they show great respect for tradition while successfully linking antiquity with the present. (From Sotheby's with thanks).
It is in great condition, with no trace of wear and the coin has a fantastic portrait. Is a collectable numismatist interest, with a beautiful details in high relief, well centered strike and with great patina.
INVENTORY REF: N0000AONN/1.170
